Maldon Bowls Club members blocked in by Smart car parking

More than 60 members of a bowls club were trapped in their car park for hours after a not-so-smart driver blocked the only exit.

Maldon Bowling Club in Essex was just finishing its annual presentation evening when members discovered no-one could go home - because a Smart car was parked across the dropped kerb.

The road outside was busier than usual as the town's fireworks display was also taking place, the Maldon Standard first reported .

Club coach Carole Ash said another driver eventually arrived and was able to edge forward and free the trapped bowlers.

"When someone decided to leave our gathering early and came straight back, we all wondered what was going on," Mrs Ash told the BBC.

"We went outside and it was unbelievable - the car was parked right across our entrance.

"People just started saying 'we're blocked in' and people walking past were just amazed."

She said at about 19:00 GMT, the driver of another car returned to get something from their vehicle.

"Thank goodness she did," said Mrs Ash, who explained the driver was able to clear the way by moving her vehicle.

"[She] saved the day... but it still wasn't easy.

"Every time someone wanted to leave, one of us had to stand in the road and carefully guide them between the cars, because visibility was so limited.

"If it hadn't been so bad, it would be laughable."